Fr Paul begins by asking us to picture those special people who have “sung us into being” – whether they are our birth mothers or others. He then describes a wintery picture of his mom holding his and his brother’s six and seven year old hands. The note on the back of the picture reads: “The two boys have the mumps – I’m taking them to the doctor.” Our mothers, like God, never let go of our hands – not ever.
The Jews … stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory.
ACTS 13:14, 43-52
I, John, had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb.
REV 7:9, 14B-17
Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
JN 10:27-30
This is a classic homily that deserves preservation! Oddly, as I listened, I envisioned Father Paul sitting on a couch in the NBC TV studio sharing this homily with a grateful Johhny Carson.